Magistrates are appointed by the Judges to assist them in hearing cases. All magistrates are attorneys with extensive experience in Family Law. The Family Court has six magistrates who hear cases in the Domestic Relations Division and Juvenile Division. Magistrates hear divorces, custody disputes, paternity actions, child support modifications, abuse/neglect/dependency cases, unruly, traffic, and delinquency cases. They are empowered to make orders or decisions. Litigants have the right to object to a magistrate's order or decision, and have that ruling reviewed by the Judge assigned to the case.
Stark County's Magistrates know that prevention is the key to solving delinquency, and they are strongly committed to serving community organizations which help youth. These include Character Counts, Habitat for Humanity, North Canton Community Intervention, various local church programs, Domestic Violence Task Force, United Way, Tutoring programs at local schools and coaching youth sports teams.
Chief Magistrate
Lori Brown
Lori A. Brown serves as a Magistrate. Ms. Brown received her Bachelor’s Degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Brown obtained her law degree from The University of Akron School of Law in 2005. Prior to working for Stark County Family Court, Ms. Brown worked as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, prosecuting severe child abuse and child sexual assault cases. Ms. Brown worked for the University of Akron School of Law as an Assistant Clinical Director. Ms. Brown lives in Stark County with her two children.
Magistrate
Priscilla J. Cunningham
Priscilla J. Cunningham is currently a Magistrate with the Stark County Family Court. Prior to serving as Magistrate, she owned and operated 2 businesses for 9 years; a law firm, in which she worked as a General Practice Attorney; and a CPA firm, in which she worked as a Certified Public Accountant, with an emphasis on tax. She also assisted in the management of her family’s business, a music studio, and she currently owns and operates a business in western Stark County. Ms. Cunningham received her B.S. Degree in accountancy, Cum Laude, and her M.T. in Taxation, from the University of Akron, and received her J.D. in Law Degree from Cleveland State University. She is an alumni of the 12th class of Leadership Stark County, and has held memberships in the following organizations; American Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association, Stark County Bar Association, Ohio Association of Magistrates, and the USA Karate Federation. She has served as a President and Vice President of the YMCA of Western Stark County, and as President, Vice President and Treasurer of Kiwanis International (Western Stark Chapter). Ms. Cunningham serves in many capacities for her local church, including, but not limited to Worship Leader and Teacher. She performs music for many community functions, including non-profits, senior citizens’ events, fundraisers, churches and she writes and directs plays and engages in cultural studies and enjoys domestic and international travel.
Magistrate
Vern Infantino
Vernon M. Infantino received his undergraduate degree from The University of Mount Union and completed law school at The University of Akron School of Law. He was admitted to the practice of law and the Ohio Bar in 2003. After being admitted to the bar, Vern served as an Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Canton. He initially handled prosecution of Domestic Violence cases before being transferred to Judge Mary Falvey's courtroom. He then went into private practice at the end of 2005. For the last 10 years, Vern has run a practice primarily handling domestic, juvenile and criminal cases. He was sworn in as magistrate on January 3, 2017. Vern is engaged and has 4 children.
Magistrate
Beverly Proctor-Donald
Beverly Proctor-Donald was appointed to serve as Magistrate with the Stark County Family Court on October 12, 2023. Beverly grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and East Cleveland, Ohio but has called Stark County her home since 1991. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, graduating with Departmental Honors in the Department of Theater and Communications in the College of Communications and Fine Arts and she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 1996. Prior to her appointment as Magistrate, Beverly practiced law in Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Portage, Wayne and Holmes Counties for 22 years with a focus in Family Law. Her practice also included estate planning and personal injury cases. Beverly is a member of the Stark County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Akron Canton Barristers and the Ohio Association of Magistrates and she currently serves as an officer for the Stark County Bar Association. She is a committee member for the Stark County Bar Association Executive Committee, Pro Bono Committee, Grievance Committee and Family Law Committee. Beverly previously volunteered for Legal Aid’s pro se divorce and custody clinics and she currently assists with coordinating staffing for the Stark County Family Court Help Desk. She has given her time as a volunteer and committee member to other community organizations over the years. Beverly is married and has one adult son who is an Ohio University graduate.
Magistrate
David Haverfield
David Haverfield was appointed as Magistrate with the Stark County Family Court on April 20, 2026. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1992 and his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 1995. After a brief time in private practice in Stark and Tuscarawas Counties, David has spent the past 27 years in public service, serving as both legal counsel and director of a large public agency, and as Chief Criminal Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. He also spent over fifteen years as a trainer in Ohio’s public child welfare system and is involved as a volunteer and board member with several organizations. David and his wife have three adult children and reside in Tuscarawas County.